The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-08
CAPITAL cvLL,Mos.

Congreesnen and Free Paaees-NeW Mex1.
ean Land Claims-Allen Real Estato
A0lders-The Alaska M0nopoly.
WASHINGTON, March 29-The action of
the presidents and general managers Of the
railroad systems throughout the country In
calling in all annual passes, and passing
resolutions that no more interstate passes
will be issued in future, Is bound to have .
distressing effect upon many Senators and
members Of Congress who have for years
abused the privilege granted them, practi-
cally reaping Q rich revenue at the ex-
pense of the railroads. The law allows TO
each Senator and Representative mileage
fec of ten cents per mile, based on the long
haul from their homes to the capital and re-
turn, which is equal to. twenty cents per
mile one way. This 10 made up on the
theory that the round trip from home 10
made twice during each term Of Congress.
There are few who come to Congress who
have not their pockets filed with passes.
II the distance is great, it adds hand
somely to the salary. The same prac-
tice and rule applies to all sections Of
the country, and it can be seen how the
pass system has been abused by the Gov
ernmcnt representatives. On more than
one occasion Congressman appointed on
funeral commissions have Travelled on
passes and afterwards charged the cost Of
railroad travel to the Government. There
is, perhaps. no class OF people who have so
abused the courtesy extended by railroads
rs has been INDUCED in by some in the EN-
plcy of the Government. A prominent
railroad Official is authority for the state
ment that the largest percentage OF names
on the black list which is kept by the roads
Of persons selling und renting passes are
those in the employ Of the Government. In
the summer time, when the seashOle or
mountains are more attractive than the
sunny streets of Washington, it is not an
uncommon thing to find Senators and Rep
resentatives ordering the sergeant-at-arms
to write for passes. It has made little diff
ference where the trip is made, the best
roads reaching the places are importuned
and, in nine cases out of ten, the passes are
granted.
REJECTION RECOMMENDED.
WIsHINGTON, March 29-The Commits
sioner of the General Land Office has ap-
proved and sent to the Secretary of the In
terror for transmission to Congress, reports
from the Surveyor General of New Mexico
in private land claims, Is follows: The
Sierra Mosca claim for 115,3 acres. He
recommends this claim for rejection on the
ground that the evidence is not sufficient
to make out q case. The Alameda (Span.
ish) claim for log, 374 acres. The Surveyor
General says the evidence in this case fails
to show that the grantee ever entered into
the actual possession Of the land or COM
piled with other conditions of title required
by the laws Of Spain. The claim is recon-
mended for rejection. The Ardoyo de San
Lorenzo claim for 1876, l39 acres was recon-
mended for rejection for similar reasons.
The San Clements claim for S9,4l3 acres and
the Muestra Sonora Del Pilas claim for g.
BIS acres, were recommended for rejection
on the ground that no evidence of any
right or title in the claimants to the tracts
described had been produced.
ALIEN REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP.
WASHINGTON, March 29.-Thc Department
Of State is in receipt Of communications
from parties in various sections of the
West and from abroad requesting to be adj
vised as to the operation of the law passed
by the late Congress prohibiting aliens from
acquiring and owning real estate in the
Territories and District of Columbia except
those citizens of foreign countries whose
right to acquire and hold lands is secured
by existing treaties, and FORGETTING to the
United States any property held or owned
in violation of this act. The State Depart
ment is now investigating the question
whether any clauses are contained in exist
ing treaties with foreign nations which
secure to subjects Of such nations the right
to acquire and hold real estate within the
United States by direct purchase. This
matter is one Of great Importance at the
present time, involving the pending sale Of
mining properties, cattle ranches, and
real estate to syndicates of purchasers on
foreign account. Quite q number of Ameri-
can citizens are now in Europe eudeavor-
ing to effect the sale of American proper
ties but can accomplish nothing until this
question is settled.
THE ALASKA MONOPOLY.
WASHINGTON, March s9-The Secretary
Of the Treasury has received . letter from
the Alaska Commercial Company COM
planning that private parties are taking
seals in the water about Alaska, and ask
ing that more revenue cutters be sent for
their protection. The letter states that be-
tween 10000 and $1,000 skins have been
taken during the year by outside parties,
and the United States is asked to prohibit
oil killing of seals within the eastern half
Of Behring's strait.